Category: LAWPRO Magazine
Applying old case law to the new Rule 48.14
On January 1, 2015, Rule 48.14 of the Rules of Civil Procedure was substantially amended. The first result of the amendment was that plaintiffs’ solicitors received respite from “show cause” status hearings. Status notices ceased to be issued as of January 1, 2015. Status notices received by parties prior to January 1, 2015 under the… Read More »
Categories: 2016 January Indigenous, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Articles, Casebook, Civil Litigation, Time ManagementFinancial success and work satisfaction – the perfect combination
There are two new titles in the practicePRO library that can help lawyers be happier in their jobs in two ways: inner fulfillment and proper compensation. Kathleen Paukert, author of The Fulfilled Lawyer: Create the Practice You Desire, doesn’t have a lot of time for the negativity she increasingly hears from lawyers about the practice… Read More »
Categories: 2016 January Indigenous, Articles, Book Review, Finances, Legal CareersDon’t take the bait on a spear phishing attack
By now, most lawyers are familiar with phishing attacks. For those who are not, phishing is the attempt to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an email. They take the form of a message, allegedly from your bank or an online retailer you… Read More »
Categories: 2016 January Indigenous, Articles, Cyber dangers, Fraud, Tech TipsDanger: When a hacker emails you instructions in the name of your client
The determination and energy of hackers knows no bounds. They show remarkable imagination and ingenuity in coming up with ever more devious ways to steal trust funds by duping lawyers. As an example of this, we have recently seen several instances where a fraudster hacked into a client’s email with the intent to divert funds… Read More »
Categories: 2016 January Indigenous, Articles, Cyber dangers, Fraud, Tech TipsRule 48.14 Transition Toolkit helps you prevent administrative dismissal of actions
The administrative dismissal of actions for delay has caught many lawyers by surprise, and has led to several hundred claims and almost $10 million in claims costs in just three and a half years. On January 1, 2015, a welcome amendment to the administrative dismissal rule – Rule 48 – came into force. The amended… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September - Insurance Issue 2016, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Articles, Civil Litigation, Time Management2016 coverage for lawyers in private practice
Standard insurance coverage The base program Eligibility: Required of all lawyers1 providing services in private practice.3 Coverage limit: $1 million per claim/$2 million in the aggregate (i.e., for all claims made in 2017), applicable to claim expenses, indemnity payments and/or costs of repairs together. Reminder – Cybercrime coverage sublimit: The 2016 insurance program includes a… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September - Insurance Issue 2016, Articles, Errors & Omissions2016 coverage for exempt lawyers
in-house corporate counsel government lawyers, educators and others not in active private practice retired lawyers, estate trustees, emeritus lawyers, judges and others no longer practising law legal aid clinic lawyers (not directly employed by Legal Aid Ontario) lawyers who engage in only occasional practice in Ontario and are resident in a Canadian jurisdiction other than… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September - Insurance Issue 2016, Articles, Errors & OmissionsThe day-to-day stresses and challenges of being a lawyer
A sole practitioner and single mom is locked in a room in her house. Her young autistic son, outside the room, has put a chair up against the door to prevent it from opening. There is a lot of yelling and screaming. She calls 911 and the police arrive. One of the constables happens to… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Legal Careers, Legal Technology, Wellness, WellnessSelf-assessment: do I need help?
Lawyers are used to helping others with their problems. This can lead to viewing others – not ourselves – as the people with the problems. But lawyers are actually more likely than the population average to experience addiction or suffer from mental illness. Many worry that there is a potent stigma attached to being a… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Wellness, WellnessHow unhealthy lawyers affect client service
Almost all lawyers experience stress, but unless it becomes toxic, there is little risk to the client. Occasionally things get truly out of control. That’s when important deadlines are missed, communication with the client diminishes (or ends), and files languish. In extreme cases, the lawyer ‘pretends’ to practice by misrepresenting to the client that work… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Communications Errors, Conflicts of Interest, Firm Management, Inadequate Investigation, Time Management, Wellness, Wellness